Bordallo revives war claims:
Guam bill to piggy-back on defense spending act
By Amritha Alladi
Pacific Daily News
May 22, 2010
The island's World War II survivors are confident Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo will garner the congressional support she needs to pass an amendment to the fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act that would pay war reparations to World War II survivors on Guam.
On Thursday, Bordallo announced she will include H.R. 44, The Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, as an addition to the 2011 defense spending bill, which was unanimously passed by the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.
The amendment will be added when the bill heads to the floor of the House of Representatives next week, Bordallo said in a press release.
"This strategy is identical to what was done with war claims in last year's defense spending bill due to procedural issues in the Armed Services Committee," Bordallo stated in the release. "The House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act will still need to be reconciled with the Senate's version of the defense spending bill. H.R. 44 remains my top legislative priority and I am confident that this strategy is the most effective means of advancing war claims legislation."
Last year, her amendment was successfully adopted by the full House by voice vote as part of a block of amendments during passage of the National Defense Authorization Act 2010, Bordallo's release stated. However, that war claims provision was excluded from the 2010 defense spending bill after Bordallo rejected a compromise measure from Senate leaders, Pacific Daily News files show.
According to Bordallo, the committee's chairman, Rep. Ike Skelton, has reiterated his support for the inclusion of war claims in the defense bill again this year.
But before the entire defense spending bill reaches the House floor for a final vote, it will be considered by the Rules Committee where they will make certain amendments in order.
The bill will then go to the floor where only amendments made in order by the Rules Committee are debated, according to Bordallo's office.
She said the amendment wasn't considered during full committee mark-up on Wednesday due to procedural issues with provisions that are out of the House Armed Services Committee's jurisdiction, Bordallo stated in her release.
According to Guam war survivor Tom Barcinas, this strategy is a pretty standard legislative procedure.
"The amendment is a very normal way of getting things through," he said yesterday. "I'm sure that (the) congresswoman will garner enough support."
Barcinas went to Washington, D.C., in December to share his stories of surviving the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II. He also testified about the importance of war claims for a survivor, according to Pacific Daily News files.
He applauded Bordallo for her efforts to include this provision into this year's defense budget, adding that Bordallo should move on the issue expeditiously.
He said he's ready to mobilize support for the amendment if she needs it for the amendment to be included.
"If she needs anything from the Guam group, if we have to start a letter-writing campaign or e-mail to help her (convince) all members of the Congress, we'll be very happy to get things going," he said.
Bordallo last year did not accept a Senate compromise offer that would have paid reparations to living Chamorro survivors of World War II, but excluded payments to spouses and children of Guam's war survivors who have died.
Bordallo said at the time she believed the offer was contrary to what the community has said it wanted.
Bordallo's previous bill would have resulted in $126 million for war reparations for Guam survivors of the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Piti Mayor Ben Gumataotao said if it's the World War II survivors they need to focus on in the first round to get the amendment passed, that's fine. The immediate need is for the survivors, he said.
"A lot of the survivors are dying on a daily basis," Gumataotao said.
If needed, islanders can push for war claims for the survivors' heirs during a "second round," he said.
Since the U.S. decided to take on the responsibility of paying war claims from Japan, Gumataotao said it should honor that commitment.
"The responsibility should be coming from our lovely country the U.S," he said. "At that time, they took the responsibility, so let them be an honorable country."
Showing posts with label National Defense Authorization Act. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Defense Authorization Act. Show all posts
Friday, May 21, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Cruz: Guam must enjoy revenue perks
Cruz: Guam must enjoy revenue perks
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 04:08
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
VICE speaker BJ seeks reassurances from the U.S. Congress that Guam will reap the maximum amount of local tax revenues to be generated by the military buildup from federal contractors.
He is also soliciting the assistance of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo.
Cruz forwarded several letters to Bordallo relaying his concerns about the government of Guam’s ability to collect buildup related tax revenues and asked for special language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act to support Guam’s tax collection efforts.
Cruz is requesting that language be secured in the federal budget act that would require each federal construction contract to designate Guam as the designated place of origin and that all associated income related to the buildup, including corporate bonuses, be designated possession source income, without any special exemption and that Department of Defense cooperates with local tax officials.
Cruz said there are many issues concerning the process of collecting corporate and individual income taxes and particularly taxable income related to projects for corporations and individuals who file outside Guam.
Cruz pointed out that in May last year, Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn indicated that at the local level, the government of Guam is responsible for collecting local tax revenues.
“It is only fair that steps be taken at the federal level ensuring that the windfall from the contracts related to this buildup enjoy the full scrutiny of local tax enforcement,” said the vice speaker.
In response to Cruz, Bordallo wrote that she would keep his suggestion for legislation in mind as she begins proposals for inclusion in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act.
However, Bordallo said she will await the results of the report from the Department of Defense before she takes further action. She believes that the report will assist her in developing more accurate and comprehensive legislation.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 04:08
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
VICE speaker BJ seeks reassurances from the U.S. Congress that Guam will reap the maximum amount of local tax revenues to be generated by the military buildup from federal contractors.
He is also soliciting the assistance of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo.
Cruz forwarded several letters to Bordallo relaying his concerns about the government of Guam’s ability to collect buildup related tax revenues and asked for special language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act to support Guam’s tax collection efforts.
Cruz is requesting that language be secured in the federal budget act that would require each federal construction contract to designate Guam as the designated place of origin and that all associated income related to the buildup, including corporate bonuses, be designated possession source income, without any special exemption and that Department of Defense cooperates with local tax officials.
Cruz said there are many issues concerning the process of collecting corporate and individual income taxes and particularly taxable income related to projects for corporations and individuals who file outside Guam.
Cruz pointed out that in May last year, Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn indicated that at the local level, the government of Guam is responsible for collecting local tax revenues.
“It is only fair that steps be taken at the federal level ensuring that the windfall from the contracts related to this buildup enjoy the full scrutiny of local tax enforcement,” said the vice speaker.
In response to Cruz, Bordallo wrote that she would keep his suggestion for legislation in mind as she begins proposals for inclusion in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act.
However, Bordallo said she will await the results of the report from the Department of Defense before she takes further action. She believes that the report will assist her in developing more accurate and comprehensive legislation.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Cruz calls upon Bordallo for more involvement
Cruz calls upon Bordallo for more involvement
Posted: Feb 09, 2010 2:58 PM
Updated: Feb 09, 2010 5:50 PM
by Nick Delgado
Guam - Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz says he would like to see Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo do more when it comes to insisting Department of Defense contractors pay their fair share of taxes when performing work on Guam for the buildup. The senator says a response he received from Bordallo assuring him that provisions are already in place in the National Defense Authorization Act aren't good enough.
Cruz said the provisions only require DOD to report the steps it is taking to ensure contractors are complying with local tax and licensing requirements.
He said, "I want everybody's salaries in the $15 billion paid out of here and funneled through our banks. I don't want it through banks in the States; I want everything sitting in Guam."
Cruz says it does not require the DOD to cooperate with local officials nor to actually pay taxes locally.
Posted: Feb 09, 2010 2:58 PM
Updated: Feb 09, 2010 5:50 PM
by Nick Delgado
Guam - Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz says he would like to see Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo do more when it comes to insisting Department of Defense contractors pay their fair share of taxes when performing work on Guam for the buildup. The senator says a response he received from Bordallo assuring him that provisions are already in place in the National Defense Authorization Act aren't good enough.
Cruz said the provisions only require DOD to report the steps it is taking to ensure contractors are complying with local tax and licensing requirements.
He said, "I want everybody's salaries in the $15 billion paid out of here and funneled through our banks. I don't want it through banks in the States; I want everything sitting in Guam."
Cruz says it does not require the DOD to cooperate with local officials nor to actually pay taxes locally.
Cruz: DoD Not Doing Enough To Ensure Contractors Pay Guam Taxes
Cruz: DoD Not Doing Enough To Ensure Contractors Pay Guam Taxes
Monday, 08 February 2010
Guam - Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz says a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act to assist Guam in Buildup tax collections is not enough.
In a release, Cruz says he is responding to Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo’s assurances that the provision will provide the help needed to GovGuam.
The release states that the Speaker received a letter from Bordallo assuring him that the Department of Defense is required to report on the steps that the Department of Defense is taking to ensure that contractors performing work on Guam comply with local tax and licensing requirements.
The Vice Speaker's release states that Bordallo was responding to Cruz’s request that she act on the matter.
However Cruz's response to Bordallo is:
“The report does not require the Department of Defense to cooperate with local officials nor to adhere to any specific federal requirement to ensure its contractors are paying Guam’s federally mirrored income taxes.”
The Vice SPeaker also states: “In my letter, I specifically asked that you secure language requiring each construction contract to designate Guam as the situs and that all associated income be designated possession source income, without any special exemption. Additionally, I asked that DoD be specifically required to cooperate with tax officials on Guam."
Written by : News Release
Monday, 08 February 2010
Guam - Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz says a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act to assist Guam in Buildup tax collections is not enough.
In a release, Cruz says he is responding to Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo’s assurances that the provision will provide the help needed to GovGuam.
The release states that the Speaker received a letter from Bordallo assuring him that the Department of Defense is required to report on the steps that the Department of Defense is taking to ensure that contractors performing work on Guam comply with local tax and licensing requirements.
The Vice Speaker's release states that Bordallo was responding to Cruz’s request that she act on the matter.
However Cruz's response to Bordallo is:
“The report does not require the Department of Defense to cooperate with local officials nor to adhere to any specific federal requirement to ensure its contractors are paying Guam’s federally mirrored income taxes.”
The Vice SPeaker also states: “In my letter, I specifically asked that you secure language requiring each construction contract to designate Guam as the situs and that all associated income be designated possession source income, without any special exemption. Additionally, I asked that DoD be specifically required to cooperate with tax officials on Guam."
Written by : News Release
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Cruz eyes tax revenue from buildup projects
Cruz eyes tax revenue from buildup projects
Friday, 05 February 2010 00:59
by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
VICE speaker BJ Cruz is once again calling for Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo’s attention regarding more issues concerning the military’s draft environmental impact statement.
Cruz in reviewing the document would like assurances from Bordallo and the U.S. Congress that Guam would be able to receive the maximum amount in local tax revenues from the buildup when it begins.
Art Ilagan, Department of Revenue and Taxation director, indicated in a recent interview that Guam could be making at least $20 billion from construction done on Guam in military realignment construction projects.
In a letter he sent to Bordallo yesterday, Cruz pointed out the government of Guam’s ability to collect tax revenues from the buildup and requested for what he termed “special language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization act to support GovGuam’s collection efforts.”
He also asked the congresswoman to introduce amendments requiring all contract income related to buildup projects be determined as possession source income and for DOD to cooperate with local tax officials.
“Since it is we who will shoulder the burden of hosting the largest military transfer of hardware and personnel in decades, it is only fair that steps be taken at the federal level ensuring that the windfall from contracts related to this buildup enjoy the full scrutiny of local tax enforcement,” said Cruz.
Friday, 05 February 2010 00:59
by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
VICE speaker BJ Cruz is once again calling for Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo’s attention regarding more issues concerning the military’s draft environmental impact statement.
Cruz in reviewing the document would like assurances from Bordallo and the U.S. Congress that Guam would be able to receive the maximum amount in local tax revenues from the buildup when it begins.
Art Ilagan, Department of Revenue and Taxation director, indicated in a recent interview that Guam could be making at least $20 billion from construction done on Guam in military realignment construction projects.
In a letter he sent to Bordallo yesterday, Cruz pointed out the government of Guam’s ability to collect tax revenues from the buildup and requested for what he termed “special language in the 2012 National Defense Authorization act to support GovGuam’s collection efforts.”
He also asked the congresswoman to introduce amendments requiring all contract income related to buildup projects be determined as possession source income and for DOD to cooperate with local tax officials.
“Since it is we who will shoulder the burden of hosting the largest military transfer of hardware and personnel in decades, it is only fair that steps be taken at the federal level ensuring that the windfall from contracts related to this buildup enjoy the full scrutiny of local tax enforcement,” said Cruz.
War claims bill faces delay tactic in Congress
War claims bill faces delay tactic in Congress
Friday, 05 February 2010 00:53
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
U.S. SENATOR Carl Levin believes that the Guam war claims provision should not be included in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act and should instead be sent back to the Judiciary Committee chaired by Sen. Patrick Leahy, according to a reliable source.
However, the provision had already cleared Leahy’s committee and sending it back is a stall tactic, said the source.
“Senator Levin told Bordallo that the war claims provision is probably best handled by the Judiciary and not the NDAA,” stated the source.
Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo could not be reached for comment.
In her October 2009 statement on the war claims issue, Bordallo stated that if H.R. 44 or the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act was not included in the 2010 defense spending bill, then it would be included in the 2011 proposal.
Senator Frank Blas Jr. wasn’t happy with Levin’s comment.
“Levin made a promise that the provision would be included in the 2011 budget and now is reneging on his promise. I’m at a loss for words with regards to again the federal government in not addressing the war claims issue,” said Blas.
In December last year, Blas and other lawmakers met with the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss among other issues, the inclusion of the war claims provision in the defense authorization bill.
“There was never a discussion on moving that bill to the Judiciary,” said Blas.
“A lot of people who know politics know that when you send it to Judiciary, it’s lost. The provision had already passed muster with the Judiciary, according to the information provided by the congresswoman’s office,” he added.
Blas said that President Obama’s statement that he was going to implement a spending freeze over the next three to four years and take money out of the defense budget to put elsewhere, “doesn’t sit well with me.”
Blas also said that at the meeting in Washing D.C., the armed forces committee stated that all the body needed was a written letter of support signed by President Obama.
“The Senate committee was clear that they wanted a letter from the president himself. If the president is committed to making sure that the military buildup and what’s going to be happening on Guam in the next few years is beneficial not only for the military but also for the people of Guam, I think this is one of those issues which he can address,” Blas said.
Friday, 05 February 2010 00:53
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
U.S. SENATOR Carl Levin believes that the Guam war claims provision should not be included in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act and should instead be sent back to the Judiciary Committee chaired by Sen. Patrick Leahy, according to a reliable source.
However, the provision had already cleared Leahy’s committee and sending it back is a stall tactic, said the source.
“Senator Levin told Bordallo that the war claims provision is probably best handled by the Judiciary and not the NDAA,” stated the source.
Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo could not be reached for comment.
In her October 2009 statement on the war claims issue, Bordallo stated that if H.R. 44 or the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act was not included in the 2010 defense spending bill, then it would be included in the 2011 proposal.
Senator Frank Blas Jr. wasn’t happy with Levin’s comment.
“Levin made a promise that the provision would be included in the 2011 budget and now is reneging on his promise. I’m at a loss for words with regards to again the federal government in not addressing the war claims issue,” said Blas.
In December last year, Blas and other lawmakers met with the Senate Armed Services Committee to discuss among other issues, the inclusion of the war claims provision in the defense authorization bill.
“There was never a discussion on moving that bill to the Judiciary,” said Blas.
“A lot of people who know politics know that when you send it to Judiciary, it’s lost. The provision had already passed muster with the Judiciary, according to the information provided by the congresswoman’s office,” he added.
Blas said that President Obama’s statement that he was going to implement a spending freeze over the next three to four years and take money out of the defense budget to put elsewhere, “doesn’t sit well with me.”
Blas also said that at the meeting in Washing D.C., the armed forces committee stated that all the body needed was a written letter of support signed by President Obama.
“The Senate committee was clear that they wanted a letter from the president himself. If the president is committed to making sure that the military buildup and what’s going to be happening on Guam in the next few years is beneficial not only for the military but also for the people of Guam, I think this is one of those issues which he can address,” Blas said.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
IG Report On The Status of the Guam Buildup
IG Report On The Status of the Guam Buildup
Guam - An Inspector General report on the status of the Guam buildup provides details on the programs, operations and funding that has so far been made available for military construction projects on Guam.
Among other items, the IG report states that the Government of Japan has provided $336 million in funding for the buildup and the The Department of Defense has already earmarked $60.3 million dollars of which $35.7 million has already been spent.
Read the Realignment Report
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/pdf/reaalignreport.pdf
The annual report is required under the National Defense Authorization Act and must be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Interior.
Written by :
Kevin Kerrigan
Guam - An Inspector General report on the status of the Guam buildup provides details on the programs, operations and funding that has so far been made available for military construction projects on Guam.
Among other items, the IG report states that the Government of Japan has provided $336 million in funding for the buildup and the The Department of Defense has already earmarked $60.3 million dollars of which $35.7 million has already been spent.
Read the Realignment Report
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/pdf/reaalignreport.pdf
The annual report is required under the National Defense Authorization Act and must be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Interior.
Written by :
Kevin Kerrigan
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
PNC :: Bordallo Meets with Interior Secretary Salazar
PNC :: Bordallo Meets with Interior Secretary Salazar
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Guam - In Washington Wednesday, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and his Assistant Secretary Deputy for Insular Affairs, Tony Babauta.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
Secretary Salazar was invited by members of the caucus to present him with priorities important to their districts and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Also in attendance at today’s meeting was the Honorable Tony Babauta, Assistant Secretary of Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“During today’s meeting with Secretary Salazar, I thanked him for his support in the inclusion of H.R. 44 in last year’s discussion of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “Secretary Salazar reiterated the Obama Administration’s support in resolving the issue of Guam War Claims this year. I also expressed the importance of the Department of the Interior in addressing civilian infrastructure issues on Guam in preparation of the military buildup and the expected increase in population.
"Secretary Salazar shared my concerns and assured me that these issues are being heard by senior officials within the Administration, and he would work towards securing federal support for civilian infrastructure funding. I also raised the issue of Compact-Impact reimbursement for Guam to the Secretary. He informed me that he was aware of the issue and has offered to work with Guam, through Assistant Secretary Babauta, on addressing this issue.”
Written by : News Release
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Guam - In Washington Wednesday, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and his Assistant Secretary Deputy for Insular Affairs, Tony Babauta.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
Secretary Salazar was invited by members of the caucus to present him with priorities important to their districts and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Also in attendance at today’s meeting was the Honorable Tony Babauta, Assistant Secretary of Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“During today’s meeting with Secretary Salazar, I thanked him for his support in the inclusion of H.R. 44 in last year’s discussion of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010,” Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. “Secretary Salazar reiterated the Obama Administration’s support in resolving the issue of Guam War Claims this year. I also expressed the importance of the Department of the Interior in addressing civilian infrastructure issues on Guam in preparation of the military buildup and the expected increase in population.
"Secretary Salazar shared my concerns and assured me that these issues are being heard by senior officials within the Administration, and he would work towards securing federal support for civilian infrastructure funding. I also raised the issue of Compact-Impact reimbursement for Guam to the Secretary. He informed me that he was aware of the issue and has offered to work with Guam, through Assistant Secretary Babauta, on addressing this issue.”
Written by : News Release
Sunday, December 13, 2009
PNC :: House Takes Another Step In Process of Approval for $737M In Buildup Spending For Guam
PNC :: House Takes Another Step In Process of Approval for $737M In Buildup Spending For Guam
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Guam - The U.S. House overnight in Washington approved the conference report for a bill that contains $737.6 million dollars in spending for military construction projects on Guam.
The conference report is for H.R. 3288 which is the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2010. Approval of the conference report nearly completes Congress’s work on appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2010.
According to a release from Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, the measure includes $737,654,000 for Guam in military construction funding for fiscal year 2010. That is the full amount authorized by the Congress in Public Law 111-84, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
The legislation also contains $49 million in Defense Access Roads funding which will be transferred to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and will help to reduce congestion and chokepoints on several roads and at several intersections on Guam.
There is also $30 million for the construction of a new Guam National Guard Readiness Center which will enable the Guam National Guard to continue to grow and modernize.
And the bill has an additional $259 million for the first phase of construction of a new Naval Hospital in Agana Heights.
The release quotes Congresswoman Bordallo as saying that the approval means that "the military build-up on Guam is now moving from the planning to the implementation phase" and the funding "will bring economic activity and create jobs for our local workforce."
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Guam - The U.S. House overnight in Washington approved the conference report for a bill that contains $737.6 million dollars in spending for military construction projects on Guam.
The conference report is for H.R. 3288 which is the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2010. Approval of the conference report nearly completes Congress’s work on appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2010.
According to a release from Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, the measure includes $737,654,000 for Guam in military construction funding for fiscal year 2010. That is the full amount authorized by the Congress in Public Law 111-84, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
The legislation also contains $49 million in Defense Access Roads funding which will be transferred to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and will help to reduce congestion and chokepoints on several roads and at several intersections on Guam.
There is also $30 million for the construction of a new Guam National Guard Readiness Center which will enable the Guam National Guard to continue to grow and modernize.
And the bill has an additional $259 million for the first phase of construction of a new Naval Hospital in Agana Heights.
The release quotes Congresswoman Bordallo as saying that the approval means that "the military build-up on Guam is now moving from the planning to the implementation phase" and the funding "will bring economic activity and create jobs for our local workforce."
Friday, December 04, 2009
Committee supports war claims measure
Committee supports war claims measure
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • December 4, 2009
House Armed Services Committee members expressed their support for the Guam war claims measure in a hearing that aimed to gather more evidence to sway the Senate into approving the provision.
"I am embarrassed that we need to be here today talking about this. It should have been resolved a long time ago," Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., a committee member, said during yesterday's hearing in Washington, D.C.
Two Guam senators, a war survivor, and the former chairman of the Guam War Claims Review Commission were among those who testified in support of a bill that would compensate those killed on Guam during World War II and living survivors.
While the House has supported Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo's war claims bill, the measure has consistently stalled in the Senate.
Questions during yesterday's hearing focused on the objections raised by Senate members during final negotiations on the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.
Earlier this year, the war claims provision was tacked onto the military spending bill but rejected by ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Michigan Sen. Carl Levin and Arizona Sen. John McCain objected to, among other things, payments for spouses and children of Guam's war survivors who have since died.
Levin and McCain offered to keep Bordallo's provision if the claims were awarded solely to those killed during the war and to living survivors of the occupation, but Bordallo didn't accept their offer.
During yesterday's hearing, Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., asked whether heirs of occupation survivors who have since died should be eligible for claims.
Mauricio Tamargo, former chairman of the commission that came to Guam to investigate the war claims process, said they should. "The Guam War Claims Review Commission included survivors in its recommendations strictly as a matter of parity because that is how all claim programs were administered," he said.
Guam Sen. Frank Blas Jr. spoke in the place of the many war survivors who have since died or are too frail to attend the hearing. He said many are upset that the federal government has failed to compensate its fellow Americans but will ask more from them when the U.S. military expands its facilities and beefs up its personnel on Guam.
"There is a demoralizing sentiment that is growing among the survivors. This sentiment is that the United States government is waiting for all of the war survivors to pass on so that this issue will not have to be dealt with," Blas said in his testimony. "Although my upbringing has taught me to apologize for this statement, I chose not to and challenge our nation's leaders to prove that opinion wrong."
Guam Sen. Ben Pangelinan reminded committee members that the island's people don't expect the long-sought payments to change the past.
What they do expect, he said, is "recognition of a people's sacrifice in upholding the honor of America, maintaining their dignity in the fight for their liberty, and demonstrating steadfast loyalty remain priceless."
War survivor Tom Barcinas and Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta of the U.S. Department of the Interior also testified before the committee.
Committee Chairman Ike Skelton committed to including provisions of the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act in the National Defense Authorization Act for next fiscal year if other legislative vehicles are not successful, Bordallo said.
"The commitment from the Chairman reiterated the need for the hearing to build a stronger legislative history that the Senate can reference in future negotiations," she said.
Additional hearings on Guam's war claims will be scheduled.
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • December 4, 2009
House Armed Services Committee members expressed their support for the Guam war claims measure in a hearing that aimed to gather more evidence to sway the Senate into approving the provision.
"I am embarrassed that we need to be here today talking about this. It should have been resolved a long time ago," Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., a committee member, said during yesterday's hearing in Washington, D.C.
Two Guam senators, a war survivor, and the former chairman of the Guam War Claims Review Commission were among those who testified in support of a bill that would compensate those killed on Guam during World War II and living survivors.
While the House has supported Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo's war claims bill, the measure has consistently stalled in the Senate.
Questions during yesterday's hearing focused on the objections raised by Senate members during final negotiations on the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.
Earlier this year, the war claims provision was tacked onto the military spending bill but rejected by ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Michigan Sen. Carl Levin and Arizona Sen. John McCain objected to, among other things, payments for spouses and children of Guam's war survivors who have since died.
Levin and McCain offered to keep Bordallo's provision if the claims were awarded solely to those killed during the war and to living survivors of the occupation, but Bordallo didn't accept their offer.
During yesterday's hearing, Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., asked whether heirs of occupation survivors who have since died should be eligible for claims.
Mauricio Tamargo, former chairman of the commission that came to Guam to investigate the war claims process, said they should. "The Guam War Claims Review Commission included survivors in its recommendations strictly as a matter of parity because that is how all claim programs were administered," he said.
Guam Sen. Frank Blas Jr. spoke in the place of the many war survivors who have since died or are too frail to attend the hearing. He said many are upset that the federal government has failed to compensate its fellow Americans but will ask more from them when the U.S. military expands its facilities and beefs up its personnel on Guam.
"There is a demoralizing sentiment that is growing among the survivors. This sentiment is that the United States government is waiting for all of the war survivors to pass on so that this issue will not have to be dealt with," Blas said in his testimony. "Although my upbringing has taught me to apologize for this statement, I chose not to and challenge our nation's leaders to prove that opinion wrong."
Guam Sen. Ben Pangelinan reminded committee members that the island's people don't expect the long-sought payments to change the past.
What they do expect, he said, is "recognition of a people's sacrifice in upholding the honor of America, maintaining their dignity in the fight for their liberty, and demonstrating steadfast loyalty remain priceless."
War survivor Tom Barcinas and Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta of the U.S. Department of the Interior also testified before the committee.
Committee Chairman Ike Skelton committed to including provisions of the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act in the National Defense Authorization Act for next fiscal year if other legislative vehicles are not successful, Bordallo said.
"The commitment from the Chairman reiterated the need for the hearing to build a stronger legislative history that the Senate can reference in future negotiations," she said.
Additional hearings on Guam's war claims will be scheduled.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
War survivors’ quest for justice continues
War survivors’ quest for justice continues
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 01:46
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
GUAM’S quest for recognition of the pain and suffering endured by Japanese Imperial Forces during their occupation in World War II recently suffered a setback by the United States Congress in their crafting of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act.
Although the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act did not survive the attempt to have it included as an amendment to the Defense bill, U.S. Senate leaders promised Guam’s representative to have hearings on the war claims bill and consider taking action on the measure before the end of 2009-2010 term.
These hearings are expected to begin in December. Since many of our manamko who suffered the atrocities of war have since passed away or are infirmed, there are ongoing discussions to have them appear before the committee via teleconference in the District Court of Guam's courtroom.
In December 2003, survivors of the war told their stories to the Federal War Claims Commission during a series of hearings held on Guam. They gave their accounts of the brutality, the anguish, the degradation, the sufferings, and the fears that they had to endure.
They gave eye witness testimonies of the lashings, the beatings, and the beheadings of their loved ones and friends. In those hearings, those who testified also expressed their hope that their nation will finally acknowledge what they went through and give them the recognition they so rightfully deserve.
Although there has been the promise of the opportunity to address the war claims issue over the next year, many of the remaining survivors are well within their golden years and traveling to Washington, DC to testify once again may be too difficult.
Because of this, the decision makers in Congress have been asked to seriously consider holding any hearings on this matter on Guam, and because of the midterm elections that will be occurring across the United States late next year, it was further requested that the hearings be conducted before March 2010.
Unfortunately, there are also those who testified in 2003 who have since passed away. It is for those individuals who have died while waiting for their recognition and for our elderly who will find it impossible to travel almost 9,000 miles away that Sen. Frank Blas Jr.'s office will present a weekly series entitled, “Real People, Real Stories.”
Once every week, the testimonies of those individuals who appeared before the War Claims Commission in 2003. Although transcripts of the hearings are open to the public, we will get the permission of the survivors, or that of their heirs, to provide their testimonies in this series. If the survivors or their heirs wish, we will also include their sentiments of the waiting they continue to endure.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 01:46
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
GUAM’S quest for recognition of the pain and suffering endured by Japanese Imperial Forces during their occupation in World War II recently suffered a setback by the United States Congress in their crafting of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act.
Although the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act did not survive the attempt to have it included as an amendment to the Defense bill, U.S. Senate leaders promised Guam’s representative to have hearings on the war claims bill and consider taking action on the measure before the end of 2009-2010 term.
These hearings are expected to begin in December. Since many of our manamko who suffered the atrocities of war have since passed away or are infirmed, there are ongoing discussions to have them appear before the committee via teleconference in the District Court of Guam's courtroom.
In December 2003, survivors of the war told their stories to the Federal War Claims Commission during a series of hearings held on Guam. They gave their accounts of the brutality, the anguish, the degradation, the sufferings, and the fears that they had to endure.
They gave eye witness testimonies of the lashings, the beatings, and the beheadings of their loved ones and friends. In those hearings, those who testified also expressed their hope that their nation will finally acknowledge what they went through and give them the recognition they so rightfully deserve.
Although there has been the promise of the opportunity to address the war claims issue over the next year, many of the remaining survivors are well within their golden years and traveling to Washington, DC to testify once again may be too difficult.
Because of this, the decision makers in Congress have been asked to seriously consider holding any hearings on this matter on Guam, and because of the midterm elections that will be occurring across the United States late next year, it was further requested that the hearings be conducted before March 2010.
Unfortunately, there are also those who testified in 2003 who have since passed away. It is for those individuals who have died while waiting for their recognition and for our elderly who will find it impossible to travel almost 9,000 miles away that Sen. Frank Blas Jr.'s office will present a weekly series entitled, “Real People, Real Stories.”
Once every week, the testimonies of those individuals who appeared before the War Claims Commission in 2003. Although transcripts of the hearings are open to the public, we will get the permission of the survivors, or that of their heirs, to provide their testimonies in this series. If the survivors or their heirs wish, we will also include their sentiments of the waiting they continue to endure.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
DOD confident of base move
DOD confident of base move
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • November 13, 2009
Department of Defense officials are confident that the United States and Japan will reach a favorable agreement regarding the relocation of the Futenma base to northern Okinawa, and subsequently, the shift of 8,000 Marines to Guam, said Derek Mitchell, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.
But in the meantime, the DOD is "giving them the respect they deserve" by allowing the new Japanese leadership time to review provisions of the 2006 U.S.-Japan bilateral agreement.
During the first day of the Guam Community and Economic Development Forum hosted by the University of Guam at the Sheraton Laguna Resort yesterday, Mitchell, responding to the concerns of Guam residents, said he expects the two countries to reach an agreement, and that the question of what might happen if the agreement falls through is only "hypothetical."
He and Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said Guam's strategic placement in defense operations in the Asia-Pacific region, along with the millions of dollars that have been approved for buildup projects, indicate that the buildup is still scheduled to go through.
"I'm quite confident we will work this out," Mitchell said.
His confidence stems from the fact that Japan's leadership has already "put their money where their mouth is" with the direct contribution of more than $300 million to the U.S. government to fund their commitment to the military buildup on Guam.
Over the last 15 years, Mitchell said there have been several attempts to find a different approach to the relocation of Futenma. Yet in the end, it always boils down to the same result, he said.
Bordallo, too, highlighted the increased federal funding Guam has received in preparation for the buildup.
"Challenges exist with the new government in Japan over the current design of the Futenma replacement facility," she said, in a recorded speech presented via DVD. "I am confident that the new leadership here in Washington, D.C., ... will be able to find a solution to this challenge so that both countries maintain their commitment to this strategically important endeavor." She added that the government of Guam has been provided another $220 million in grants and loans through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for infrastructure projects.
That's an unprecedented investment by the federal government into infrastructure projects on Guam, Bordallo said.
She further stressed that President Obama's signing of the Fiscal 2010 Defense Authorization Act into law on Oct. 28 reaffirms the Obama administration's commitment to realizing the buildup, as it approves $734 million for military construction projects alone.
And an estimated $14 billion in buildup construction projects is expected to be spent in the next decade on Guam -- including on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance facilities at the Andersen Air Force Base, she said.
So the shift of the Marines to Guam could be a good thing, if Guam agencies foster relationships with the federal government to leverage funding opportunities, she said.
Provisions in the defense bill reinforce stringent oversight of military operations that mandate diligence, accountability and transparency on the part of the military. The establishment of a DOD Inspector General to oversee inter-agency operations will help to avoid problems faced in Iraq and Afghanistan with regard to federal government contracting practices, Bordallo said.
For example, the bill mandates contractors develop recruitment plans to hire as many American workers as possible, and the governor of Guam would have to certify the need for foreign workers on Guam under H-2 visas, she said.
The bill also establishes the deputy secretary of defense as the leader of inter-agency and inter-departmental affairs, whose role includes coordination of buildup operations with the executive branch, Congress, the Japanese government and people of Guam.
"This places responsibility for the buildup at the highest level of decision-making and management within the Department of Defense," Bordallo said.
The forum continues today with panel discussions on economic development opportunities for Guam tourism, the airport and the Port Authority of Guam, workforce development and employment needs, and investment in human capital through education.
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • November 13, 2009
Department of Defense officials are confident that the United States and Japan will reach a favorable agreement regarding the relocation of the Futenma base to northern Okinawa, and subsequently, the shift of 8,000 Marines to Guam, said Derek Mitchell, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.
But in the meantime, the DOD is "giving them the respect they deserve" by allowing the new Japanese leadership time to review provisions of the 2006 U.S.-Japan bilateral agreement.
During the first day of the Guam Community and Economic Development Forum hosted by the University of Guam at the Sheraton Laguna Resort yesterday, Mitchell, responding to the concerns of Guam residents, said he expects the two countries to reach an agreement, and that the question of what might happen if the agreement falls through is only "hypothetical."
He and Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said Guam's strategic placement in defense operations in the Asia-Pacific region, along with the millions of dollars that have been approved for buildup projects, indicate that the buildup is still scheduled to go through.
"I'm quite confident we will work this out," Mitchell said.
His confidence stems from the fact that Japan's leadership has already "put their money where their mouth is" with the direct contribution of more than $300 million to the U.S. government to fund their commitment to the military buildup on Guam.
Over the last 15 years, Mitchell said there have been several attempts to find a different approach to the relocation of Futenma. Yet in the end, it always boils down to the same result, he said.
Bordallo, too, highlighted the increased federal funding Guam has received in preparation for the buildup.
"Challenges exist with the new government in Japan over the current design of the Futenma replacement facility," she said, in a recorded speech presented via DVD. "I am confident that the new leadership here in Washington, D.C., ... will be able to find a solution to this challenge so that both countries maintain their commitment to this strategically important endeavor." She added that the government of Guam has been provided another $220 million in grants and loans through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for infrastructure projects.
That's an unprecedented investment by the federal government into infrastructure projects on Guam, Bordallo said.
She further stressed that President Obama's signing of the Fiscal 2010 Defense Authorization Act into law on Oct. 28 reaffirms the Obama administration's commitment to realizing the buildup, as it approves $734 million for military construction projects alone.
And an estimated $14 billion in buildup construction projects is expected to be spent in the next decade on Guam -- including on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance facilities at the Andersen Air Force Base, she said.
So the shift of the Marines to Guam could be a good thing, if Guam agencies foster relationships with the federal government to leverage funding opportunities, she said.
Provisions in the defense bill reinforce stringent oversight of military operations that mandate diligence, accountability and transparency on the part of the military. The establishment of a DOD Inspector General to oversee inter-agency operations will help to avoid problems faced in Iraq and Afghanistan with regard to federal government contracting practices, Bordallo said.
For example, the bill mandates contractors develop recruitment plans to hire as many American workers as possible, and the governor of Guam would have to certify the need for foreign workers on Guam under H-2 visas, she said.
The bill also establishes the deputy secretary of defense as the leader of inter-agency and inter-departmental affairs, whose role includes coordination of buildup operations with the executive branch, Congress, the Japanese government and people of Guam.
"This places responsibility for the buildup at the highest level of decision-making and management within the Department of Defense," Bordallo said.
The forum continues today with panel discussions on economic development opportunities for Guam tourism, the airport and the Port Authority of Guam, workforce development and employment needs, and investment in human capital through education.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
U.S. Senate cuts fund for marines' Guam move
U.S. Senate cuts fund for marines' Guam move
Satoshi Ogawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
WASHINGTON--The U.S. Senate has voted to slash 211 million dollars that the administration of President Barack Obama sought to fund the planned relocation of 8,000 marines from Okinawa Prefecture to Guam, it was learned Thursday.
The Senate action to cut about 70 percent of the envisaged 300 million dollars came in the process of deliberating fiscal 2010 budget bills relating to the construction of the new U.S. military installations.
Earlier when approving the White House-submitted National Defense Authorization Bill in late October, the U.S. Congress was in favor of the 300 million dollars budgetary appropriations for the transfer plans of the marines.
In the wake of the Senate vote for the major cutbacks on the expenditure for moving the marines from Okinawa Prefecture to Guam, the White House sent a letter Thursday to the Senate, saying a budget cut of this scale could have "harmful effects" on the Japan-U.S. agreement in February 2009 on the relocation of the marines.
The budgetary issue involving the planned move of the marines was one of the major points U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates referred to in talks with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimi Kitazawa, when Gates visited Japan in October.
Gates consulted with Kitazawa on relocating the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from Ginowan, southern Okinawa Prefecture, to Camp Schwab in Nago in the northeastern part of the prefecture. Gates in the talks was quoted as warning that the U.S. Congress would act to negate budget expenses for plans to move the marines from the prefecture to Guam should the planned relocation of Futenma be hampered.
It is possible that military installation-related budget bills could be modified through the Senate's consultations with the House of Representatives.
A major factor behind the Senate's action this time is the fact that the U.S. Congress is displeased with the indecisiveness of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's administration regarding the relocation of Futenma Air Station, and has become wary of approving budgetary appropriations for the relocation of marines to Guam. Washington has said settling the Futenma issue should be a prerequisite for moving the marines from Okinawa Prefecture to the island in the western Pacific.
===
Kanagawa gov. backs base deal
WASHINGTON (Kyodo)--Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa threw his support Thursday behind an existing deal between Japan and the United States that would relocate a U.S. airfield within Okinawa Prefecture.
Matsuzawa signaled the stance at a symposium in Washington, saying the current plan to relocate the U.S. Marines Corps' Futenma Air Station to Nago from downtown Ginowan by 2014 is the best possible one.
"If the Futenma relocation issue becomes complicated and protracted further, the whole package of plans to realign U.S. forces in Japan will be delayed," he said.
(Nov. 7, 2009)
Satoshi Ogawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
WASHINGTON--The U.S. Senate has voted to slash 211 million dollars that the administration of President Barack Obama sought to fund the planned relocation of 8,000 marines from Okinawa Prefecture to Guam, it was learned Thursday.
The Senate action to cut about 70 percent of the envisaged 300 million dollars came in the process of deliberating fiscal 2010 budget bills relating to the construction of the new U.S. military installations.
Earlier when approving the White House-submitted National Defense Authorization Bill in late October, the U.S. Congress was in favor of the 300 million dollars budgetary appropriations for the transfer plans of the marines.
In the wake of the Senate vote for the major cutbacks on the expenditure for moving the marines from Okinawa Prefecture to Guam, the White House sent a letter Thursday to the Senate, saying a budget cut of this scale could have "harmful effects" on the Japan-U.S. agreement in February 2009 on the relocation of the marines.
The budgetary issue involving the planned move of the marines was one of the major points U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates referred to in talks with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimi Kitazawa, when Gates visited Japan in October.
Gates consulted with Kitazawa on relocating the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from Ginowan, southern Okinawa Prefecture, to Camp Schwab in Nago in the northeastern part of the prefecture. Gates in the talks was quoted as warning that the U.S. Congress would act to negate budget expenses for plans to move the marines from the prefecture to Guam should the planned relocation of Futenma be hampered.
It is possible that military installation-related budget bills could be modified through the Senate's consultations with the House of Representatives.
A major factor behind the Senate's action this time is the fact that the U.S. Congress is displeased with the indecisiveness of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's administration regarding the relocation of Futenma Air Station, and has become wary of approving budgetary appropriations for the relocation of marines to Guam. Washington has said settling the Futenma issue should be a prerequisite for moving the marines from Okinawa Prefecture to the island in the western Pacific.
===
Kanagawa gov. backs base deal
WASHINGTON (Kyodo)--Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa threw his support Thursday behind an existing deal between Japan and the United States that would relocate a U.S. airfield within Okinawa Prefecture.
Matsuzawa signaled the stance at a symposium in Washington, saying the current plan to relocate the U.S. Marines Corps' Futenma Air Station to Nago from downtown Ginowan by 2014 is the best possible one.
"If the Futenma relocation issue becomes complicated and protracted further, the whole package of plans to realign U.S. forces in Japan will be delayed," he said.
(Nov. 7, 2009)
Monday, October 12, 2009
BLAS FIRES OFF LETTERS TO MCAIN AND LEVIN
BLAS FIRES OFF LETTERS TO MCAIN AND LEVIN
Written by :
Clynt Ridgell
Senator Frank Blas Jr. has fired off two letters to two members of the US Congress. The senator has sent a letter to Senator's John Mccain and Carl Levin stating that he will not give up on the fight for Guam war reparations. In addition to this he is currently working on drafting a letter along with democrat senator Frank Aguon Jr. requesting that public hearings on the Guam WWII Loyalty Recognition Act be held on Guam.
Congresswoman Bordallo stated in her release last week that while war reparations weren't included in the Defense Authorization Act public hearings would be held on the Guam WWII Loyalty Recognition Act as a stand alone bill before the next defense authorization bill. Blas would like for these public hearings to be held on Guam to make it easier for the elderly WWII survivors to provide testimony
Written by :
Clynt Ridgell
Senator Frank Blas Jr. has fired off two letters to two members of the US Congress. The senator has sent a letter to Senator's John Mccain and Carl Levin stating that he will not give up on the fight for Guam war reparations. In addition to this he is currently working on drafting a letter along with democrat senator Frank Aguon Jr. requesting that public hearings on the Guam WWII Loyalty Recognition Act be held on Guam.
Congresswoman Bordallo stated in her release last week that while war reparations weren't included in the Defense Authorization Act public hearings would be held on the Guam WWII Loyalty Recognition Act as a stand alone bill before the next defense authorization bill. Blas would like for these public hearings to be held on Guam to make it easier for the elderly WWII survivors to provide testimony
Friday, October 09, 2009
Cruz: Congress won't pass payments to heirs
Cruz: Congress won't pass payments to heirs
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • October 10, 2009
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo's decision to refuse the war claims proposal by key Senate members was a mistake, said one of the members of the Guam War Claims Commission.
Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz said the current Guam World War II Loyalty Act won't be accepted by the Senate as long as the measure requires payments to heirs of those who were killed or survived the Japanese occupation.
The Pacific Daily News requested comment from Bordallo's office. As of 6 p.m., the office didn't provide a comment.
The Senate Armed Services Committee this week excluded the Guam war claims provision from the Fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.
Bordallo had inserted the measure into the spending bill earlier this year -- a move that raised the chances of the reparations bill finally passing.
The war claims bill and previous measures have failed over the decades. The House of Representatives has approved Bordallo's measures in recent years, only for it to stall in the Senate.
This year, the measure advanced further than it ever has, even getting the support of President Obama.
But Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin and ranking member Sen. John McCain objected to payments for spouses and children of Guam's war survivors who have since died.
Levin and McCain offered to keep Bordallo's provision if the claims were awarded solely to those killed during the war and to living survivors of the occupation.
But Bordallo rejected the offer because it wouldn't recognize everyone who endured Guam's occupation.
"It was unfortunate that she didn't take it, but I understand the predicament she was in," Cruz said.
He said past Guam Legislatures and other officials have pushed for heirs to be included in the measure, but it goes against established, recognized legal precedence.
Cruz said the only way the war claims bill will be enacted is to hold a public hearing in Washington, D.C., and to revise the bill to comply with that legal precedence.
Congress has awarded compensation to Japanese Americans and Aleutians who suffered during World War II, but the reparations were limited to survivors and not their heirs, Cruz noted.
Cruz said Levin has been pushing legislation that would compensate about 400,000 U.S. prisoners of war, but if Guam's war claims bill is approved and heirs receive reparations, it could open the door for heirs of POW's to be compensated also.
Sen. Judith Guthertz said Congress should look at each war claims case separately.
Speaker Judith Won Pat said she was happy that Bordallo refused to accept the compromise.
She said Guam should beef up its lobbying efforts now that the island knows which federal officials it should focus its efforts on.
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • October 10, 2009
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo's decision to refuse the war claims proposal by key Senate members was a mistake, said one of the members of the Guam War Claims Commission.
Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz said the current Guam World War II Loyalty Act won't be accepted by the Senate as long as the measure requires payments to heirs of those who were killed or survived the Japanese occupation.
The Pacific Daily News requested comment from Bordallo's office. As of 6 p.m., the office didn't provide a comment.
The Senate Armed Services Committee this week excluded the Guam war claims provision from the Fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.
Bordallo had inserted the measure into the spending bill earlier this year -- a move that raised the chances of the reparations bill finally passing.
The war claims bill and previous measures have failed over the decades. The House of Representatives has approved Bordallo's measures in recent years, only for it to stall in the Senate.
This year, the measure advanced further than it ever has, even getting the support of President Obama.
But Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin and ranking member Sen. John McCain objected to payments for spouses and children of Guam's war survivors who have since died.
Levin and McCain offered to keep Bordallo's provision if the claims were awarded solely to those killed during the war and to living survivors of the occupation.
But Bordallo rejected the offer because it wouldn't recognize everyone who endured Guam's occupation.
"It was unfortunate that she didn't take it, but I understand the predicament she was in," Cruz said.
He said past Guam Legislatures and other officials have pushed for heirs to be included in the measure, but it goes against established, recognized legal precedence.
Cruz said the only way the war claims bill will be enacted is to hold a public hearing in Washington, D.C., and to revise the bill to comply with that legal precedence.
Congress has awarded compensation to Japanese Americans and Aleutians who suffered during World War II, but the reparations were limited to survivors and not their heirs, Cruz noted.
Cruz said Levin has been pushing legislation that would compensate about 400,000 U.S. prisoners of war, but if Guam's war claims bill is approved and heirs receive reparations, it could open the door for heirs of POW's to be compensated also.
Sen. Judith Guthertz said Congress should look at each war claims case separately.
Speaker Judith Won Pat said she was happy that Bordallo refused to accept the compromise.
She said Guam should beef up its lobbying efforts now that the island knows which federal officials it should focus its efforts on.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Guam Buildup Scorecard - DOD: $734M; Community: $0
Guam Buildup Scorecard - DOD: $734M; Community: $0
Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer
Friday, 09 October 2009 06:05
Civilian Development Noticeably Absent From Massive List Of Guam Buildup Projects
By Jeff Marchesseault
GUAM - Sorely needed civilian-side development projects are noticeably absent from a $734 million list of Guam military buildup projects released to media yesterday.
The project rundown was issued in a news release from the Washington, D.C. Office of Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. The local buildup projects are part of the approximate $700 billion FY2010 Defense Authorization Act agreed to by a joint conference committe of House and Senate leaders yesterday.
The installation construction plan may come as welcome relief for anyone who ever hoped that the $15 billion, multi-year buildup would get off the ground with the necessary funding to kickstart first-year development in time to meet a stated 2014 deadline.
But it also flies in the face of anyone else who may have recognized the federal government's consistent lack of focus on, or monetary commitment to, Guam's civilian needs relative to the buildup. Absorbing the impact of 8,000 marines, their 17,000 dependents, up to 20,000 federal construction workers, their families, plus anyone and everyone else gravitating to Guam in search of opportunity in a freshly cash-infused economy is a tall order for Guam's strained and dilapidated infrastructure and utilities -- much less for the island's already underfunded public services and social programs.
Fortunately, local senator and Guam Buildup Committee Chair Judi Guthertz has just as consistently directed attention to the island's unpreparedness for the buildup
On August 12th, Guthertz confronted Members of a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) at a hotel luncheon during their visit to Guam.
As Guam News Factor then reported:
Among other issues, the lawmaker expressed that an Omnibus Appropriation measure would be most appropriate to address the needs of the civilian community and assist in preparing the island's island-wide infrastructure system. Sen. Guthertz told the CODEL that piece-meal legislation which parcels out small appropriations over a long period of time will not answer the needs that will appear immediately during the course of the buildup.
Sen. Guthertz expressed, "It is also not just or sufficient to require Guam to compete with the 50 states and the other territories for grants and loans for the above listed projects as if they are not absolutely necessary for a successful buildup."
However, on that same day, Congresswoman Bordallo, the CODEL host, disagreed with Guthertz' assessment. Here is what Guam News Factor reported in our August 12th CODEL analysis:
When asked whether her subcommittee would recommend the omnibus funding legislation now being called for by Guam Senator Judi Guthertz to help ensure adequate funding for a long list of projects related to the civilian-side of the buildup, Bordallo said she preferred piecemeal legislation. And she expressed confidence that all necessary funding would be identified and committed in due course.
Bordallo chairs the Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee under Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall, D-West Virginia, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Minutes prior to Bordallo's stated preference for piecemeal legislation for Guam's civilian needs, Rahall had just told Guam News Factor that he would support Bordallo's funding recommendations, whatever they might be.
And at an afternoon news conference later that day, most Members of the CODEL supported Bordallo's assessment, stating that an omnibus appropriation for the buildup would be too difficult to pass through Congress, given budgetary constraints and the large number of committees involved.
At this juncture, Guam's call for adequate funding for municipal, civilian-side development that keeps up with the rapidly paced base-side buildup has gone unanswered.
Here is the Bordallo news release on the Department of Defense's Guam projects now supported by funding in the joint conference committee's Defense Authorization Act of 2010:
(*Note, this Defense-spending bill will now be sent to both Houses of Congress for final debate and voting, then to the President's desk for signature or veto.)
Conference Report Finalized On National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010
Bill Continues Rigorous Oversight Of Guam Military Buildup
October 7, 2009 - Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that the final conference report for H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10 NDAA), was signed by conferees this morning. The conference report has now been referred to the House Committee on Rules and will subsequently be debated and voted on by the full House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the legislation. The conference report will then be sent to the Senate for their consideration and vote. No date has been set for the Senate's consideration of the bill. After Senate passage, the bill will be sent to President Obama for his signature.
H.R. 2647 authorizes spending and sets policy for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2010. H.R. 2647 would also provide the Department of Defense with $550.2 billion in budget authority while authorizing $130 billion to support defense operations overseas. Servicemembers will receive a 3.4% increase in their pay, a 0.5% increase over the President's Budget. Moreover, the FY10 NDAA provides for significant military construction funding for Guam in support of the Guam International Agreement.
"The Congress is clear in its support for the military build-up on Guam," Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. "The final conference committee report has significant funding commitments for military construction on Guam. More importantly, I worked closely with Committee leadership including Chairman Solomon Ortiz of Texas and with Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii to find a compromise on the matter of Davis-Bacon and limits on H-2 workers on Guam. We will not extend Hawaii's Davis-Bacon wages to Guam but we do have a provision that requires contractors to be diligent and ensure that reasonable efforts are taken to hire U.S. workers. The conference committee also adopted protections against worker abuses and enhanced reporting requirements on workforce issues."
"The defense bill also continues the commitment of this Congress to properly ensure that our servicemembers in harms way have the equipment and access to training that makes them so capable," added Congresswoman Bordallo. "We also continue to honor our commitment to the Reserve Components through substantial funding of the National Guard & Reserve Equipment Account. I supported, and the Congress authorized, the authorization for several programs important to the National Guard including the State Partnership Program and increase in the federal cost share for the Youth ChalleNGe program. These provisions demonstrate Congress's understanding of the important contributions of our citizen soldiers and airmen."
A table of the President's requests and a summary of Congresswoman Bordallo's requested and supported provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 are listed below.
Codifies the charter of the Guam Executive Council within the Department of Defense and makes the Deputy Secretary of Defense the lead agent from the Department of Defense for coordination of all interagency efforts;
Establishes an Interagency Group of Inspectors General to conduct and supervise audits and investigations regarding programs and operations related to the military build-up on Guam;
Extends Davis-Bacon wage protections to all military construction projects on Guam and requires the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct yearly wage surveys on Guam during the period of major construction for the military build-up. The provision does not tie Davis-Bacon wages rates on Guam to those set for Hawaii;
Requires contractors performing work on military construction projects on Guam to develop a recruitment plan that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor that details their efforts to hire local and other U.S. citizens and nationals. It also requires that the contractors submit a follow-up report that details why any U.S. citizen or national was not hired for a specific project. Finally, it also maintains the Governor of Guam's ability to certify the need for H-2B workers but he must submit an additional certification to the Secretary of Defense for military construction projects only;
Prohibits any inpatient fee increases for TRICARE beneficiaries for fiscal year 2010 and was added in response to recent Department of Defense announcement that it was increasing the inpatient co-pay by 20% for retirees on TRICARE Standard;
Parity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories by phasing out cost of living allowances and phase in locality comparability pay in place of the allowances. In particular, the language protects wages for federal employees on Guam;
Funds the procurement of 8 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) for Fiscal Year 2010;
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on alcohol and liquor procurement policy for resale at commissaries and exchanges on Guam;
Suspends A-76 studies for three years until the Administration reviews the process and reports back to Congress;
Reauthorizes the Sikes Act for an additional five years from 2009 through 2013 which provides for cooperation by the Departments of the Interior and Defense with local agencies in planning, developing and maintaining fish and wildlife resources on military reservations throughout the United States (this provision also extends a requirement that DoD manage for invasive species on its installations on Guam);
Increases DoD funding support from 60% to 75% for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and allows the states and territories to include in-kind, non-cash support as part of the statutorily mandated State share of the cost of operating the program;
Requires the Secretary of the Army to report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing an Army National Guard Trainees, Transients, Holdees, and Students (TTHS) account;
Adds $600 million to the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account and a total of $6.9 billion in National Guard and Reserve equipment for Fiscal Year 2010;
Requires a report on the implementation guidance for Special Purpose Entities (SPE) and also requires that all construction of facilities be done in accordance with U.S. building standards;
Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress Grants the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) with the authority to assist local communities with public infrastructure improvements;
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense funds to pay costs associated with the National Guard's State Partnership Program and requires the Department of Defense to prescribe regulations governing the expenditure of future funding for this program;
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION - The Conference committee fully authorized several projects on Guam and incrementally funded them for fiscal year 2010. Fully authorizing the projects allows each respective service to issue a contract for the total cost of the project and begin construction incrementally. Projects that were fully authorized were the new Navy Hospital at $446 million; Apra Harbor Wharf Improvements at $167 million; Andersen AFB North Ramp infrastructure improvements at $183 million and Andersen AFB North Ramp utility improvements at $101 million.
Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction Authorizations, including branch of service, project, and cost:
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Commando Warrior Operations Facility
$4,200,000
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Northwest Field Perimeter Fence and Road
$4,752,000
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Northwest Field Combat Support Vehicle Maintenance Facility
$15,500,000
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Electrical Infrastructure Hardening
$33,750,000
Defense Logistics Agency
Agana Naval Air Station - Gas Storage Facility
$4,900,000
Army National Guard
Barrigada Readiness Center
$30,000,000
Navy
Marine Aviation - AAFB North Ramp Improvements Phase 1
$88,797,000
Navy
Marine Aviation - AAFB North Ramp Utilities Phase 1
$21,500,000
Navy
Apra Harbor Wharves Improvement Phase 1
$127,033,000
Navy
Consolidated Training Facility
$45,309,000
Navy
Defense Access Road Improvements
$48,860,000
Navy
Military Working Dog Relocation
$14,000,000
Navy
Torpedo Exercise Support Building
$15,627,000
Navy Family Housing - Replace N. Tipalao Phase 3
$20,730,000
Defense Health Programs
Hospital Replacement Phase 1
$259,196,000
Grand Total: $734,154,000
Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer
Friday, 09 October 2009 06:05
Civilian Development Noticeably Absent From Massive List Of Guam Buildup Projects
By Jeff Marchesseault
GUAM - Sorely needed civilian-side development projects are noticeably absent from a $734 million list of Guam military buildup projects released to media yesterday.
The project rundown was issued in a news release from the Washington, D.C. Office of Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo. The local buildup projects are part of the approximate $700 billion FY2010 Defense Authorization Act agreed to by a joint conference committe of House and Senate leaders yesterday.
The installation construction plan may come as welcome relief for anyone who ever hoped that the $15 billion, multi-year buildup would get off the ground with the necessary funding to kickstart first-year development in time to meet a stated 2014 deadline.
But it also flies in the face of anyone else who may have recognized the federal government's consistent lack of focus on, or monetary commitment to, Guam's civilian needs relative to the buildup. Absorbing the impact of 8,000 marines, their 17,000 dependents, up to 20,000 federal construction workers, their families, plus anyone and everyone else gravitating to Guam in search of opportunity in a freshly cash-infused economy is a tall order for Guam's strained and dilapidated infrastructure and utilities -- much less for the island's already underfunded public services and social programs.
Fortunately, local senator and Guam Buildup Committee Chair Judi Guthertz has just as consistently directed attention to the island's unpreparedness for the buildup
On August 12th, Guthertz confronted Members of a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) at a hotel luncheon during their visit to Guam.
As Guam News Factor then reported:
Among other issues, the lawmaker expressed that an Omnibus Appropriation measure would be most appropriate to address the needs of the civilian community and assist in preparing the island's island-wide infrastructure system. Sen. Guthertz told the CODEL that piece-meal legislation which parcels out small appropriations over a long period of time will not answer the needs that will appear immediately during the course of the buildup.
Sen. Guthertz expressed, "It is also not just or sufficient to require Guam to compete with the 50 states and the other territories for grants and loans for the above listed projects as if they are not absolutely necessary for a successful buildup."
However, on that same day, Congresswoman Bordallo, the CODEL host, disagreed with Guthertz' assessment. Here is what Guam News Factor reported in our August 12th CODEL analysis:
When asked whether her subcommittee would recommend the omnibus funding legislation now being called for by Guam Senator Judi Guthertz to help ensure adequate funding for a long list of projects related to the civilian-side of the buildup, Bordallo said she preferred piecemeal legislation. And she expressed confidence that all necessary funding would be identified and committed in due course.
Bordallo chairs the Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee under Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall, D-West Virginia, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Minutes prior to Bordallo's stated preference for piecemeal legislation for Guam's civilian needs, Rahall had just told Guam News Factor that he would support Bordallo's funding recommendations, whatever they might be.
And at an afternoon news conference later that day, most Members of the CODEL supported Bordallo's assessment, stating that an omnibus appropriation for the buildup would be too difficult to pass through Congress, given budgetary constraints and the large number of committees involved.
At this juncture, Guam's call for adequate funding for municipal, civilian-side development that keeps up with the rapidly paced base-side buildup has gone unanswered.
Here is the Bordallo news release on the Department of Defense's Guam projects now supported by funding in the joint conference committee's Defense Authorization Act of 2010:
(*Note, this Defense-spending bill will now be sent to both Houses of Congress for final debate and voting, then to the President's desk for signature or veto.)
Conference Report Finalized On National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010
Bill Continues Rigorous Oversight Of Guam Military Buildup
October 7, 2009 - Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that the final conference report for H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10 NDAA), was signed by conferees this morning. The conference report has now been referred to the House Committee on Rules and will subsequently be debated and voted on by the full House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the legislation. The conference report will then be sent to the Senate for their consideration and vote. No date has been set for the Senate's consideration of the bill. After Senate passage, the bill will be sent to President Obama for his signature.
H.R. 2647 authorizes spending and sets policy for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2010. H.R. 2647 would also provide the Department of Defense with $550.2 billion in budget authority while authorizing $130 billion to support defense operations overseas. Servicemembers will receive a 3.4% increase in their pay, a 0.5% increase over the President's Budget. Moreover, the FY10 NDAA provides for significant military construction funding for Guam in support of the Guam International Agreement.
"The Congress is clear in its support for the military build-up on Guam," Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. "The final conference committee report has significant funding commitments for military construction on Guam. More importantly, I worked closely with Committee leadership including Chairman Solomon Ortiz of Texas and with Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii to find a compromise on the matter of Davis-Bacon and limits on H-2 workers on Guam. We will not extend Hawaii's Davis-Bacon wages to Guam but we do have a provision that requires contractors to be diligent and ensure that reasonable efforts are taken to hire U.S. workers. The conference committee also adopted protections against worker abuses and enhanced reporting requirements on workforce issues."
"The defense bill also continues the commitment of this Congress to properly ensure that our servicemembers in harms way have the equipment and access to training that makes them so capable," added Congresswoman Bordallo. "We also continue to honor our commitment to the Reserve Components through substantial funding of the National Guard & Reserve Equipment Account. I supported, and the Congress authorized, the authorization for several programs important to the National Guard including the State Partnership Program and increase in the federal cost share for the Youth ChalleNGe program. These provisions demonstrate Congress's understanding of the important contributions of our citizen soldiers and airmen."
A table of the President's requests and a summary of Congresswoman Bordallo's requested and supported provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 are listed below.
Codifies the charter of the Guam Executive Council within the Department of Defense and makes the Deputy Secretary of Defense the lead agent from the Department of Defense for coordination of all interagency efforts;
Establishes an Interagency Group of Inspectors General to conduct and supervise audits and investigations regarding programs and operations related to the military build-up on Guam;
Extends Davis-Bacon wage protections to all military construction projects on Guam and requires the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct yearly wage surveys on Guam during the period of major construction for the military build-up. The provision does not tie Davis-Bacon wages rates on Guam to those set for Hawaii;
Requires contractors performing work on military construction projects on Guam to develop a recruitment plan that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor that details their efforts to hire local and other U.S. citizens and nationals. It also requires that the contractors submit a follow-up report that details why any U.S. citizen or national was not hired for a specific project. Finally, it also maintains the Governor of Guam's ability to certify the need for H-2B workers but he must submit an additional certification to the Secretary of Defense for military construction projects only;
Prohibits any inpatient fee increases for TRICARE beneficiaries for fiscal year 2010 and was added in response to recent Department of Defense announcement that it was increasing the inpatient co-pay by 20% for retirees on TRICARE Standard;
Parity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories by phasing out cost of living allowances and phase in locality comparability pay in place of the allowances. In particular, the language protects wages for federal employees on Guam;
Funds the procurement of 8 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) for Fiscal Year 2010;
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on alcohol and liquor procurement policy for resale at commissaries and exchanges on Guam;
Suspends A-76 studies for three years until the Administration reviews the process and reports back to Congress;
Reauthorizes the Sikes Act for an additional five years from 2009 through 2013 which provides for cooperation by the Departments of the Interior and Defense with local agencies in planning, developing and maintaining fish and wildlife resources on military reservations throughout the United States (this provision also extends a requirement that DoD manage for invasive species on its installations on Guam);
Increases DoD funding support from 60% to 75% for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and allows the states and territories to include in-kind, non-cash support as part of the statutorily mandated State share of the cost of operating the program;
Requires the Secretary of the Army to report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing an Army National Guard Trainees, Transients, Holdees, and Students (TTHS) account;
Adds $600 million to the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account and a total of $6.9 billion in National Guard and Reserve equipment for Fiscal Year 2010;
Requires a report on the implementation guidance for Special Purpose Entities (SPE) and also requires that all construction of facilities be done in accordance with U.S. building standards;
Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress Grants the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) with the authority to assist local communities with public infrastructure improvements;
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to use Department of Defense funds to pay costs associated with the National Guard's State Partnership Program and requires the Department of Defense to prescribe regulations governing the expenditure of future funding for this program;
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION - The Conference committee fully authorized several projects on Guam and incrementally funded them for fiscal year 2010. Fully authorizing the projects allows each respective service to issue a contract for the total cost of the project and begin construction incrementally. Projects that were fully authorized were the new Navy Hospital at $446 million; Apra Harbor Wharf Improvements at $167 million; Andersen AFB North Ramp infrastructure improvements at $183 million and Andersen AFB North Ramp utility improvements at $101 million.
Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction Authorizations, including branch of service, project, and cost:
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Commando Warrior Operations Facility
$4,200,000
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Northwest Field Perimeter Fence and Road
$4,752,000
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Northwest Field Combat Support Vehicle Maintenance Facility
$15,500,000
Air Force
Andersen AFB - Electrical Infrastructure Hardening
$33,750,000
Defense Logistics Agency
Agana Naval Air Station - Gas Storage Facility
$4,900,000
Army National Guard
Barrigada Readiness Center
$30,000,000
Navy
Marine Aviation - AAFB North Ramp Improvements Phase 1
$88,797,000
Navy
Marine Aviation - AAFB North Ramp Utilities Phase 1
$21,500,000
Navy
Apra Harbor Wharves Improvement Phase 1
$127,033,000
Navy
Consolidated Training Facility
$45,309,000
Navy
Defense Access Road Improvements
$48,860,000
Navy
Military Working Dog Relocation
$14,000,000
Navy
Torpedo Exercise Support Building
$15,627,000
Navy Family Housing - Replace N. Tipalao Phase 3
$20,730,000
Defense Health Programs
Hospital Replacement Phase 1
$259,196,000
Grand Total: $734,154,000
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Reparations provision not included in Defense Authorization Act
Reparations provision not included in Defense Authorization Act
Posted: Oct 07, 2009 3:39 PM PDT
Updated: Oct 07, 2009 5:12 PM PDT
by Mindy Aguon
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have reached agreement on the conference report to H.R. 2647, the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, but the report does not include the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act that island residents and leaders had been pushing for.
House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton made the announcement that the agreement had been reached as H.R. 2647 authorizes $550.2 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.
The bill also authorizes $130 billion to support overseas contingency operations during FY2010. A review of the agreed upon report does not include any reference to war reparations for the island of Guam for the thousands who suffered and died during the Japanese occupation. Hundreds of island residents and elected leaders had been pushing
Senate members to support the inclusion and President Barack Obama sent a letter of support as well providing hope that the provision would be a part of the final product.
Chairman Skelton released a statement saying, "This defense bill reflects our commitment to support U.S. service members and their families and to provide the necessary resources to keep Americans safe and protect our national interests. The conference report to this year's defense bill promotes our main policy objectives: restoring military readiness; taking care of our troops and their families; focusing on our strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and on redeployment from Iraq; eliminating waste and recovering savings through acquisition reform; and maintaining robust oversight of the Department of Defense."
"I did not accept the offer from the Senate conferees because it would not recognize all of those who endured Guam's occupation," Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. "While I am disappointed that H.R. 44 was not included in the final defense authorization bill, the compromise that was reached allows another opportunity to build on the progress we have made and to bring closure to this issue within a year. I believe that hearings on H.R. 44 would allow the Senate's concerns to be aired openly, and to have our concerns heard by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. I will continue to build on the support that we have received from the House leadership, the Obama Administration and key committees in the Senate."
Guam's congressional delegate added, "I believe that our local leaders and our community would use this opportunity to help us make Guam's case for H.R. 44 and for full inclusion of all those affected by the occupation. We are on a path to closure, and we have additional time to make our case. I hope that the commitments made by the House and Senate conferees to hold hearings and to readdress war claims in next year's bill will give us the best opportunity to resolve this issue and to finally have closure."
Some victims of the WWII occupation have taken it upon themselves to lead the movement lobbying Guam's congressional representative and senators like Senator John McCain and Senator Carl Levin who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee to make sure that the war reparations were included in the final senate version. Leonard Aguigui said he was heartbroken and questions how the people of Guam will be able to feel comfortable with this new influx of military on the island.
"Well, I don't know what else to do or what else to say. I'm very disappointed in it. I'm not upset with our Congresswoman, I know she did everything she could do, but I'm very disappointed in the Senate. This thing may have an affect on the build up in Guam. if you can't give us justice, then what are you doing here? Are we just a pawn?" he said.
Aguigui says this was his last chance and his generation will not feel duly compensated for all they have sacrificed once this news reaches the community. "They don't care what happens to us. We are still part of the U.S. like any other citizen in the continental U.S. Why can't they think this way? We aren't asking much. We are just asking what is due to us. That is all we are asking for," added Aguigui.
Posted: Oct 07, 2009 3:39 PM PDT
Updated: Oct 07, 2009 5:12 PM PDT
by Mindy Aguon
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have reached agreement on the conference report to H.R. 2647, the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, but the report does not include the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act that island residents and leaders had been pushing for.
House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton made the announcement that the agreement had been reached as H.R. 2647 authorizes $550.2 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.
The bill also authorizes $130 billion to support overseas contingency operations during FY2010. A review of the agreed upon report does not include any reference to war reparations for the island of Guam for the thousands who suffered and died during the Japanese occupation. Hundreds of island residents and elected leaders had been pushing
Senate members to support the inclusion and President Barack Obama sent a letter of support as well providing hope that the provision would be a part of the final product.
Chairman Skelton released a statement saying, "This defense bill reflects our commitment to support U.S. service members and their families and to provide the necessary resources to keep Americans safe and protect our national interests. The conference report to this year's defense bill promotes our main policy objectives: restoring military readiness; taking care of our troops and their families; focusing on our strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and on redeployment from Iraq; eliminating waste and recovering savings through acquisition reform; and maintaining robust oversight of the Department of Defense."
"I did not accept the offer from the Senate conferees because it would not recognize all of those who endured Guam's occupation," Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo said today. "While I am disappointed that H.R. 44 was not included in the final defense authorization bill, the compromise that was reached allows another opportunity to build on the progress we have made and to bring closure to this issue within a year. I believe that hearings on H.R. 44 would allow the Senate's concerns to be aired openly, and to have our concerns heard by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. I will continue to build on the support that we have received from the House leadership, the Obama Administration and key committees in the Senate."
Guam's congressional delegate added, "I believe that our local leaders and our community would use this opportunity to help us make Guam's case for H.R. 44 and for full inclusion of all those affected by the occupation. We are on a path to closure, and we have additional time to make our case. I hope that the commitments made by the House and Senate conferees to hold hearings and to readdress war claims in next year's bill will give us the best opportunity to resolve this issue and to finally have closure."
Some victims of the WWII occupation have taken it upon themselves to lead the movement lobbying Guam's congressional representative and senators like Senator John McCain and Senator Carl Levin who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee to make sure that the war reparations were included in the final senate version. Leonard Aguigui said he was heartbroken and questions how the people of Guam will be able to feel comfortable with this new influx of military on the island.
"Well, I don't know what else to do or what else to say. I'm very disappointed in it. I'm not upset with our Congresswoman, I know she did everything she could do, but I'm very disappointed in the Senate. This thing may have an affect on the build up in Guam. if you can't give us justice, then what are you doing here? Are we just a pawn?" he said.
Aguigui says this was his last chance and his generation will not feel duly compensated for all they have sacrificed once this news reaches the community. "They don't care what happens to us. We are still part of the U.S. like any other citizen in the continental U.S. Why can't they think this way? We aren't asking much. We are just asking what is due to us. That is all we are asking for," added Aguigui.
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